"Explain to the People Before Speaking of Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung's Spirit"
"Opposition's Remarks Cross the Line... Division and Hate Speech"
Lee Nak-yeon, the Chief Election Campaign Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), is speaking at the Central Election Campaign Committee meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 21st. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Lee Nak-yeon, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, targeted the People Power Party, saying, "It is only proper to first apologize for persistently mocking former President Roh Moo-hyun and driving him to death after his retirement, as well as repeatedly pushing former President Kim Dae-jung to the brink of death."
At the party's central election committee meeting on the 21st, Chairman Lee said, "It is appreciated that the opposition presidential candidate speaks of the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, but before talking about that spirit, they must explain it to the people."
He continued, "The opposition candidate mentioned Hitler and fascists while referring to the Moon Jae-in administration," pointing out, "The divisive and hateful remarks coming from the opposition and its candidate are amplifying public anxiety."
He also criticized Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, for his remarks regarding the death accident involving the People Party's campaign vehicle, saying, "Where does he confirm the deceased's wishes?"
Earlier, on the 20th, during an appearance on KBS's 'Sisa Jindan Live,' when the host said, "Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo pledged not to let the sacrifice of the deceased be in vain," Lee Jun-seok responded, "I don't criticize condolences, but the People Party says they will carry out the election campaign honoring the deceased's wishes. But this doesn't make sense," adding, "The deceased passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, so where do they confirm the deceased's wishes? Did the drivers of the People Party's campaign vehicle write a will before going on the campaign?"
Lee's remarks drew strong criticism from both the Democratic Party and the People Party, labeling them as "disgraceful comments."
In response, Chairman Lee said, "The opposition's behavior often crosses the line. I was at a loss for words seeing them speak carelessly about someone who died in an accident while helping with the election campaign."
He emphasized, "The Democratic Party must show through not only speeches but also actions and attitudes. I repeatedly urge everyone to reflect on whether their words, writings, and actions are appropriate to the people's concerns and requests."
Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is campaigning at Sangnam Fountain Square in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, on the afternoon of the 19th. / Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, on the 19th, candidate Yoon, attending a focused campaign in the Yeongnam region, strongly criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "Don't believe those who sell former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung. Where do they bring out such figures and use them for election business?"
That day, he visited Gimhae, Gyeongnam, where the late President Roh Moo-hyun's tomb is located, and emphasized, "Is a party that puts forward a person like Lee Jae-myung as a presidential candidate truly a party of the people? Is it a democratic party? Let's never be deceived again."
He added, "President Roh Moo-hyun said, 'I would choose a principled defeat over a victory without principles,'" and criticized, "(Former President Roh) pursued national interests in the democratic camp by opposing the construction of the naval base in Gangjeong Village, Jeju, the Korea-US FTA negotiations, and the dispatch of troops to Iraq. Is the Democratic Party like this now? Is it really a party that inherits the spirit of Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun?"
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